Working in law enforcement in the U.S. Navy gave Crystal Boyd the chance to serve others, igniting a passion for public service that she lives out every day.

Originally from Mississippi, Crystal met her husband, Justin, a Weirton native, when they were both stationed in Guam. They moved back to the Ohio Valley in 2007, settling in Richmond. Married for 20 years, the couple have two sons, Quinton, 18, and Colton, 16.

When the boys were 3 and 5 years old, Crystal decided to use her GI Bill funds to help pay for higher education, choosing the field of nursing for its job stability and because she could continue to serve others as she had been doing in the military.

Crystal enrolled in Franciscan’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN), attending classes during the day and studying after her boys went to bed.

“Franciscan has the best nursing school in the area,” she says, noting how she appreciates the program’s emphasis on holistic care, compassion, respect for life, faith, and accountability.

Read the full story in Franciscan Magazine.